Underage Driving Clampdown: 25 Parents Face FIR In Nagpur

Nagpur: At least 25 parents have been named in FIRs under Section 199A of Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, for allowing their underage wards to drive, as part of an intensified crackdown by Nagpur traffic police. This means risking up to three years in jail or a ₹25,000 fine or both. Prosecution of family elders highlights a growing emphasis on parental accountability in preventing road mishaps caused by minors.Viewed through the lens of the infamous Pune Porsche case in May 2024, where a 17-year-old driving a luxury car under the influence of liquor crushed two IT professionals, sparking nationwide outrage over the lenient handling of juvenile offenders — the Nagpur actions signal a post-Pune shift toward zero tolerance.Section 199A of Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, introduced to deter juvenile offences on the road, holds guardians or vehicle owners liable when a minor commits a traffic violation. The law presumes that use of the vehicle by the juvenile occurred with the consent of the parent or owner unless proven otherwise. Also, the Act mandates cancellation of the vehicle's registration for 12 months and potential suspension of the owner's driving licence. Police are set to recommend these measures to the regional transport office (RTO).This development unfolds within the framework of Nagpur Police's ongoing Operation U-Turn, a comprehensive road safety initiative launched on July 10, last month, under the leadership of CP Ravinder Singal and DCP Traffic Lohit Matani. The operation targets key violations such as drunk driving, rash driving, helmet non-compliance, and underage driving through late-night checkpoints, breath tests, and mobile patrols.In just 21 days, it has proven highly effective in saving lives, slashing road accident deaths by 62.5% (from 40 in July 2024 to 15 in July 2025) and serious injuries by 84.6% (from 13 to 2). Over 2,500 violators have been penalised, with FIRs filed under relevant sections, including 199A for underage cases. Nagpur's drive echoes this, aiming to prevent similar tragedies by prosecuting parents and impounding vehicles, ensuring minors face long-term consequences like ineligibility for a driving licence until age 25.DCP Traffic Lohit Matani emphasised the urgency, stating, "Dangerous driving behaviours won't be tolerated, and we'll continue to take strict action. Please don't allow minors to drive, or face strong consequences," he said. CP Ravinder Singal added, "Operation U-Turn is not just about enforcement — it's about building a culture of road safety. The encouraging results reflect citizen cooperation, but we urge parents to follow traffic rules strictly to save lives."